The Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF),
will host its third consecutive environmental research contest for
secondary school students in Qatar.
The competition, which will see 20 high schools in Qatar participate in a
variety of environmental research projects, aims to build a generation
of students dedicated to exploring, researching and conserving natural
resources, specifically plants.
In line with QF’s mission, the competition is designed to promote
sustainable development and inspire environmental responsibility among
young people, according to a statement.
The contest is being held in co-operation with the Ministry of Education
and Higher Education and Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), also a
member of QF, within the framework of QNRF’s National Scientific
Research Competition for school students in Qatar.
The research competition seeks to provide innovative and practical
solutions for contemporary environmental problems, with particular
emphasis on plants, water and agriculture in light of the current
political circumstances in the region.
The contest aims to provide the opportunity for students to study the
causes of the problems and provide practical solutions that can be
implemented on the ground.
Fatima Saleh al-Khulaifi, manager, QBG, said: “The role of the Qur’anic
Botanic Garden in this competition is to oversee the students’ research
and provide scientific advice and technical support to participating
schools. The garden is also working alongside various universities,
institutions and scientific entities in Qatar, such as Hamad Bin Khalifa
University, Qatar University and the Ministry of Municipality and
Environment.
“QBG has already hosted a number of educational workshops for
participating students and teachers at the Education City Student
Centre, and organised a series of site visits to the QF plant nursery.”
QBG is helping review and design prospective research proposals. So far,
30 abstracts have been submitted, focusing on important issues such as
agriculture, re-purposing leftover food and drink, aquaponics and the
economical re-use of farm residues and landscape areas. Proposals also
discuss the study and evaluation of wild plants, desertification, the
consumption of natural resources such as water, and microorganisms that
infect fruit and vegetable crops in Qatar.
QBG will organise a ceremony to honour the winners of the contest in
February during the celebration of Qatar National Environment Day 2018.
Twenty high schools to participate in a variety of environmental research projects in the contest.
